The British graffiti muralist known as Banksy is arguably the most famous artist in the world. Paradoxically, he is also one of the least known. For almost a quarter century, the aerosol master has done his best to keep his real identity a secret.
But according to a detailed report by the Reuters news agency, Banksy’s real name is David Jones. Though that’s apparently not the name he was born with.
In 2008, a London tabloid claimed to have discovered that Banksy was a Bristol-born bloke named Robin Gunningham. Scouring public documents, Reuters reporters have revealed evidence that somewhere along the line, Mr. Gunningham sought to cover his trail by changing his given name to that most generic of British monikers, Mr. Jones.
A aerosol mural, known as ‘Boy on a Life Preserver Swing’ was painted by the British superstar street artist Banksy during the post-Katrina recovery era in 2008.
Fans of the street art superstar will be fascinated by the depth of the international investigation, though personal details about Banksy – Mr. Jones, that is – remain as scant as ever.
Banksy has placed his politically provocative street art across the globe, from London to Palestine to Ukraine. By any other name, the secretive artist remains a sweet memory for New Orleanians who suffered through the city’s grinding post-Hurricane Katrina recovery period.
In 2008, three years after the devastating storm and flood, Banksy slipped into town and produced more than a dozen small murals, most of which were tailored specifically to our situation.
A forlorn girl with a faulty umbrella, a young boy using a life preserver as a tire swing and a brass band attempting to perform while wearing gas masks were among Banksy’s poetic paeans to the population’s resilience.
A 2008 painting showing a version of the cartoon character Bart Simpson, created by British graffiti superstar Banksy, is on display at the Habana Outpost restaurant at the edge of the French Quarter
Despite their immense value, many of Banksy’s artworks were painted over, vandalized, demolished or removed from the buildings that held them for preservation. Thieves attempted to steal one painting and art-loving looters made off with another. None remain where they were originally painted, though a few were rescued and are on public display.
Two meticulously restored examples can be found in the lobby of the International House Hotel at 221 Camp Street. Another well-preserved painting is located at the Habana Outpost restaurant at 1040 Esplanade Avenue. And one is on display at the Louisiana State Museum on Jackson Square.
